Repatriation of the Nations… Maybe :: By John Chandler

Published on: August 27, 2024 by RR10

Repatriation: the act or process of restoring or returning someone or something to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship: the act of repatriating or the state of being repatriated.

Cite: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repatriation

The Sheep and Goat Judgment:

In Matthew 25:31-46, we see all the Gentile nations who survived the horrors, devastation, and slaughter of Daniel’s 70th week, aka the seven-year tribulation period, gathered together to Jerusalem to stand before Messiah King Jesus who will judge and reward them, or judge and punish them.

The reader should give particular note to Matthew 25:32: “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”

In this Matthew 25 passage, we see all the surviving Gentile nations or Gentile ethnic groups literally gathered to Jerusalem, but nowhere in this passage or in scripture do we see the process by which these surviving Gentile sheep nations are repatriated to the geographical territories from which they were initially gathered.

My Questions:

My question to you, the reader: When does the repatriation of the surviving righteous nations (the sheep) happen? Or does a systematic, planned, and deliberate repatriation even take place?

Scripture is clear in other Biblical passages: the surviving righteous sheep nations are returned to their general geographical territories of origin. Let me say that another way: the sheep nations are returned to some type of geographical territory. But when and how does it happen?

Here’s What I Think Happens:

My conjecture and speculation: there is not a systematic repatriation but a slow outward migration over time. As it was in the days of Noah. The days of Noah after the flood.

Recall that Noah lived some 350 years longer after the flood. As Noah’s family and descendants grew more numerous, and in obedience to the command of our Most High God, the Lord Jesus, they spread out over the face of the earth and were fruitful and multiplied. A slow outward migration as the time was right.

After the righteous sheep are judged and rewarded, they remain in the presence and the locale of King Jesus for a while.

Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: …'”

This verse reflects the Gentile sheep nations inheriting the Kingdom, not specifically a land mass, but they inherit entrance to the one-thousand-year Kingdom of King Jesus.

The Much Larger Greater Israel:

I think King Jesus allows these righteous sheep nations to dwell with Him for a time in the Prince’s Portion of the new, much larger Greater Israel; you know, that huge land mass referenced in Genesis 15:18 and other verses that will extend from the river of Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea on the western border to the great River Euphrates for its eastern border. This Greater Israel is many times larger than the current state of Israel.

You can find pictures of this Greater Israel in Dr. Andy Woods’ Revelation series, Episode 25, God’s Faithfulness, Revelation 7:1-8, dated January 6, 2019. You will find these pictures/maps at the 56:15-minute marker to the 58:34 time marker of this online presentation. Dr. Woods presents two slightly different illustrations of the divided land in the Kingdom. But do take note of the section in each illustration marked as Christ’s Portion or the Prince’s Portion. I’ve linked the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JFfbPtK4Tc&t=3375s.

Now, be careful! Don’t get caught up in Dr. Woods’ excellent lesson. I’m only emphasizing these two illustrations of the divided land in the millennial Kingdom.

You may also find a picture of this Greater Israel cited as The Division of the Land in Millennium in the book by Dr. Tim LaHaye and Dr. Thomas Ice: Charting the End Times, 2001 edition, page 95.

As a side note: the nation of Israel is the only surviving nation that enters into the millennial Kingdom of Messiah King Jesus that is specifically promised and inherits a specific land mass: Greater Israel.

So What’s The Point:

The point being: Christ’s Portion or the Prince’s Portion of the future divided Greater Israel is more than adequate in size for these righteous Gentile sheep nations to dwell and reside with Him for a time.

Time To Heal and Recover:

I think these righteous Gentile nations are not systematically immediately or deliberately repatriated to their geographical territories of origin or any other geographical territory, for that matter, because they need time to heal physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually from the horrific events that deeply traumatized them throughout Daniel’s 70thweek, aka the seven-year tribulation period.

There is no better place to heal and recover than in the literal physical presence of Messiah King Jesus.

Additionally, I think this time in the presence of King Jesus is also a time of instruction and learning for these righteous Gentile sheep nations, these nations who came to faith during the horrors and devastations of Daniel’s 70th week, aka the seven-year tribulation period.

Up until this time, these Gentile sheep nations that enter the millennial Kingdom of King Jesus have very much lacked formal education and Bible study regarding the person and work of Messiah King Jesus. Indeed, much of their time during the tribulation period was focused on staying alive. These righteous Gentile sheep nations need time to learn His ways.

Another Reason for No Repatriation:

Those geographic territories from which all the Gentile nations were gathered, especially the righteous sheep nations, are not yet ready to receive any human populations.

Just as we see in Ezekiel 36 and 37, the land of Israel had lain dormant and desolate for centuries, but we also see in scripture that our Most High God, Messiah King Jesus, supernaturally prepares the land in advance for His elect, special, treasured, heritage Jewish people. He also prepared his people to return to the land of Israel as a result of the holocaust and the horrors the Jewish people suffered in the World War II era.

Initially, the geographical territories at the beginning of the millennial Kingdom with their innumerable corresponding animal kinds have suffered great and huge and mega damage and destruction: all seas turned to blood, all freshwater turned to blood, and all seawater and freshwater creatures died. All environments, ecological systems, and the animal kingdom were ripped apart by huge mega earthquakes, floods, pestilences, famines, wars, fires, and so much more.

These righteous Gentile sheep nations must remain in the presence of King Jesus where He will sufficiently provide for them and sustain them for a season, while the farthest reaches of the earth’s geographical territories recover, heal, and are replenished under the watchful and supernatural care of Messiah King Jesus.

As geographical territories become ready to receive human populations, the righteous Gentile sheep nations will begin their outward migration. And just perhaps, Messiah King Jesus will begin to deliberately repatriate these righteous Gentile sheep nations to some geographic territory. Maybe to the geographical territories that historically these nations populated or some other territory.

But King Jesus does not need to say anything at all. As it was in the days of Noah after the flood: fill the earth, be fruitful, and multiply. That command stands firm for all generations. The righteous Gentile sheep nations will fully understand and eagerly desire the enormous blessing that flows from voluntary, willful, and joyful obedience.

Scripture indicates these righteous sheep nations will likely retain their ethnic identities, but scripture does not indicate where these sheep nations actually settle. We assume the historical, geographical territories from which they were initially gathered, but maybe not; forces and events have radically changed the geography of the face of the earth … as it was in the days of Noah during the flood and post-flood.

More Land Than Historically Allocated:

In Matthew 24:22, We learn: “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Humankind has traversed a period of existential threat. In comparison to the eight billion people that populate the earth today, seven and a half billion plus were likely slaughtered by the horrors, devastation, and destruction of the tribulation period. In comparison, humankind is near the point of total annihilation when the Lord Jesus cuts the days of the tribulation short for the sake of His elect Jewish people. There are just not that many humans still alive by the end of the tribulation period.

In earlier scriptures, I directed your attention to the sheep and goat judgment of Matthew 25. Recall that the sheep are the righteous Gentile nations, but what of the goats, the unrighteous Gentile nations?

Matthew 25:41: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand [the goats], ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: …” These cursed goat nations are literally and physically taken out. Perhaps they are cast bodily into the Lake of Fire. Perhaps they are physically slaughtered and their bodies cast upon a heap, where the birds of carrion gather (Matthew 24:28). The key point is: the unrighteous, cursed Gentile goat nations do not survive to enter the millennial Kingdom of King Jesus.

In Revelation 21:24, “And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.” What about the nations that are not saved? Not all nations will survive the destruction and the devastation of the tribulation period or survive the sheep and goat judgment.

As the righteous sheep nations migrate to their historic territories or settle in new territories, these territories have changed geographically and topographically to some degree, and since there are fewer nations to inherit the land masses, chances are high that the righteous sheep nations will inherit larger territories than they historically populated.

Terraforming The Earth:

I think the events of Daniel’s 70th week, aka the seven-year tribulation, were a process that our Most High God used to terraform the earth in incredible ways. We’re told in Revelation 16 that the islands fled away, and the mountains were not found. Revelation 16 also tells us that cities of the nations literally fell.

Take some time to ponder and consider that concept. An earthquake so huge to collapse cities and mountains and swallow the islands is wreaking much more havoc across the globe than just to the islands, mountains, and cities.

The cities collapsed along with the mountains. The islands were likely consumed into the plates of the earth’s crust. The earth’s crust is totally and radically altered, as is most that sit on the earth’s crust … like the global flood of Noah’s day … global havoc, devastation, and terraforming are the order of the day.

I think at the time all Gentile nations are supernaturally gathered to Jerusalem for the sheep and goat judgment, the terraforming process is still an ongoing phenomenon that is beginning to subside. Under the Lord’s hand, the earth is falling into a new equilibrium and stability.

In Matthew 24: 29 we read: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days …” Those events that were bringing active destruction and devastation upon the earth have come to an end, but the earth and its surviving, comparatively miniscule human population are still reeling with the aftermath of a radically terraformed and transformed earth.

The Sheep Nations Are Better Served:

The righteous Gentile sheep nations are better served to reside safely within the Prince’s Portion for a season while the farthest reaches of the earth’s geographical territories are finding new, stable, and sustainable rhythms that will provide for human needs in a marvelous manner, similar to Eden and the garden of Eden in the beginning.

Appendix – Food for Thought – The Days of Noah:

I think we believers typically take a short-sighted view when we consider the phrase: “As it was in the days of Noah.”

Our brains default to the conditions and the wicked human behavior that brought the flood and the judgment and the wrath of our Most High God on humankind. Sure, that season is primary to the story of Noah.

In reality, we should fully consider the days of Noah before the flood, the days of Noah during the flood, and the days of Noah after the flood.

Recall that Noah lived another 350 years after the flood. Those many years were also the days of Noah. When one really considers this 350-year period, there was a lot going on in the post-flood days of Noah, too.

We believers have become so fixated on the flood and its immediate aftermath that we have missed other important truths of this time frame. We miss the patterns and types. We overlook important facts, especially when we compare all the days of Noah to the days of Messiah King Jesus when He returns, and when He sits on His glorious throne, and when He initiates many actions to literally build His physical and spiritual millennial Kingdom and all its elements.

We read in Matthew 24:37, “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

This sentence really encompasses so much more than what Messiah King Jesus was merely emphasizing in the Matthew 24 and Matthew 25 passages.

Don’t limit your thinking to only the slaughter and the judgment and the wrath Messiah King Jesus will bring upon the unbelieving world at His second coming. Step back and take another look at the days of Noah. See the bigger picture. Assuredly, the Lord Jesus has told us so much more if we have the eyes and the minds to see it and understand it.

Maranatha! Our Lord, come!

John Chandler

Email: jray810@msn.com

The Desire of Your Heart :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: August 24, 2024 by RR10

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4.

What do you desire? Many people will answer that question saying they desire something more out of life, such as more money. Worldly things aren’t necessarily bad to desire, but Jesus said. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

As Christians, we need to take a good look at what we desire and what we treasure. Keep in mind, you’ll never have enough money. When I was in the working world, we had a saying that the outgo will always grow to fit the income. That was true then, and it’s true now. I can tell you that trying to find ways to stretch a dollar is very challenging, but God always provides.

Many Christians look at prayer as a magic way to get what you want. Name it and claim it, blab it and grab it, tell God what He can do for you in order to make you happy. That seems to be the way some Christians look at prayer. Prayer is an important part of a Christian’s life, but it’s not an order to a catalog store listing what you desire today.

Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13).

Most of us know this prayer by heart and can repeat it without thinking. It might be a good idea to take a closer look.

First, God is honored. There’s peace that comes from worshipping God. Then, we are to desire that His kingdom come and His will be done just like it is done in heaven. If our desire is for God’s will to be done, we will humble ourselves before Him and desire what He desires. The only personal request is for our daily needs to be met, such as food. No worldly desires for fame and fortune, but for daily bread. Then, we are to acknowledge that not only do we need to be forgiven, but that we are also to forgive others. Finally, praise God. If we would truly pray this way and mean it, the desires of our heart just might change. We will begin to desire what God desires.

Later, Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

What things? Food, water, clothing. If we desire simple things, our desire will draw closer to God’s desire for us. If we step away from the rat race, the desires of our heart will change.

If God allows you to have lots of money, draw close to Him to see how He desires for you to use that blessing. We have many examples of how some people are irresponsible with their fortunes instead of using it for the Lord’s work. Instead of desiring what pleases God, money can easily become your god.

I have a friend who has been blessed and is so willing to use her finances to serve the Lord. I admire her. When we desire what God desires, we are blessed. When we come to know Christ, we need to turn from the sin that has plagued mankind since Adam chose to sin. Jesus gave His life for our salvation, and we owe Him everything. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation; it’s a free gift from God. The only way we can show gratitude is to seek His will and humbly submit to it.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). Let your desires be His desires.

As we go through life, our desires change. Peter is an example of changing desires. He was a fisherman, and his desire was to catch more fish. The more fish he caught and sold, the more money he would have. He had a wife, and Scripture is silent as to any children he may have had, but every Jewish man wanted sons and daughters. Then Peter met Jesus. Or, maybe it was that Jesus found Peter.

“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him“ (Matthew 4:18-20).

I’m sure there are many Hollywood ideas of all that transpired, but the fact is Peter’s life was changed. He no longer desired to catch more fish, but he was going to be a “fisher of men.” Jesus had a lot of teaching to do with Peter, but Peter followed and was changed. If he had decided to remain a fisherman, he would have had a good job, and people would have food to satisfy them for a short time. Because Peter chose to follow Jesus, he was able to share the Bread of Life, which satisfies for eternity. Because Peter realized the desire of his heart was more than fishing, he has left a lasting influence on the world.

Paul was another man who was changed by Jesus. Paul desired to be the greatest Pharisee who ever lived. He just might have accomplished his goal if Jesus hadn’t changed Paul’s desire. Paul thought he was serving God by hunting down anybody who turned from the Jewish faith to follow the Good News of Jesus. Paul (then called Saul) was on his way to Damascus to arrest those who had fled to escape his persecution, and he went after them with a deadly purpose.

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?” (Acts 9:3-4).

This happened many years after Jesus’ resurrection, so it’s no wonder Saul was confused. His life and desires changed dramatically. Instead of tyrannical power, he only wanted to serve Jesus and share love and forgiveness with everybody. It was Paul who knew about spiritual gifts and encouraged us to desire them. He especially encouraged us to desire to prophesy.

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:1-2).

We need to desire what God desires for us. Paul became a man who truly served God. His missionary journeys should be the standard of missionaries today. He gave everything to serve Jesus. Yet, was he given the desire of his heart? He desired that God remove a “thorn in his flesh.” Whatever that was, we aren’t told, but it was a true problem for Paul.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

God knows so much more than we know, and somehow, this “thorn in the flesh” was necessary. Instead of pouting because God didn’t jump through hoops for him, Paul humbly submitted to God.

Solomon was very wise. Sometimes, he wasn’t very smart, but his errors in life taught him some hard lessons. He often desired worldly things in life and found out that there was no happiness in having lots of wives and lots of money. These worldly desires led to pagan worship. He learned that there is a greater treasure than anything this world has to offer.

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man spendeth it up. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour” (Proverbs 21;20-21).

It’s too bad Solomon didn’t learn this truth at a young age and follow his own advice.

Most of us are guilty of desiring the wrong treasure, but Jesus spoke about how valuable the desire for the kingdom of heaven is. “Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field” (Matthew 13:44).

Do you desire the kingdom of heaven enough to give up your worldly desires and desire the things of God? This doesn’t mean we cannot have food, shelter, and clothing. It’s not a bad thing to have money in the bank. The question you need to answer is, what do you do with your wealth? Do you use what you have to spread the Gospel, or do you hoard your wealth? What about your physical desires? A Christian should submit to Christ.

As Paul said, “…that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1b).

When you desire what God desires, you’ll find it easier to let go of the desires of your flesh and live for Christ.

The way to know what God desires for you is to get to know Him. The more you know His will, the more you’ll desire His will for life. Temptation will always tug at your flesh, but if you are tempted to sin, that isn’t a desire of God.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:13-14).

The word “lust” is translated from the Greek word “alexithymia,” which means “desire for what is forbidden.” When temptation comes your way, if the thing you desire isn’t godly, then your desire is at odds with God’s desire for you. He won’t give you the desire of your heart if your heart desires to sin. God doesn’t want anybody to sin. He desires the best things for you.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). The gifts from God are perfect.

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3). Desire what God desires, and He will give you the desire of your heart. Then, use the desire of your heart to serve Him.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).